What to do if insurance is inactive?

Asked by: Sarah Dickinson  |  Last update: April 6, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (43 votes)

What Do I Do if My Car Insurance Lapses?
  1. Contact your insurance company. Find out what happened. ...
  2. Ask if you can get your policy reinstated. If the issue is because of non-payment, your insurance company may be able to reinstate your policy if it hasn't been too long after a missed payment. ...
  3. Shop around.

What does an inactive insurance policy mean?

If more than a month passes without payment, your policy may become inactive or “lapsed” — meaning it will no longer provide coverage should an insured event occur. Depending on the insurer and state regulations, this lapse period can range from two months to several years.

Can I reactivate my insurance?

How to reinstate a health insurance plan. In order to reinstate your health insurance plan, you must contact your health insurance provider. If your plan was terminated because of nonpayment, you may need to pay back the missed payments before your plan can resume.

How do I fix my lapsed insurance?

What to do if you have a lapse in car insurance
  1. Call. Call your previous insurance company and find out if your coverage has lapsed and, if so, how long you've been without car insurance coverage. ...
  2. See if your policy can be reinstated. ...
  3. If your policy can't be reinstated, get a new one.

Why is my car insurance inactive?

Practice responsibility. Car insurance policies are cancelled for two main reasons: non-payment and driving offenses. As a vehicle owner, you are responsible for consistently paying your car insurance premium.

What To Do If Your LLC Becomes "Inactive"

25 related questions found

What does it mean if my insurance is inactive?

Sammon notes that a patient's coverage might be inactive due to non-payment of premiums, a job change or loss, or a waiting period to qualify for Medicaid. “No matter what the situation is, it is always hard to tell the patient that their insurance currently is showing inactive,” she says.

Can you reactivate car insurance?

If your car insurance was canceled because you didn't pay your premiums, you may be able to reinstate it. Many insurance companies offer a grace period after you've failed to make a payment. During the grace period, your car insurance can be reinstated once you pay the missed premiums and any fines, interest or fees.

How do I reactivate my lapsed policy?

"To reinstate a lapsed policy, policyholders need to submit a reinstatement application, pay any outstanding premiums with interest or penalties, and may also undergo a medical examination depending on the insurer's requirements," said Goyal.

How long can you go without car insurance?

It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.

Can I restart a lapsed insurance policy?

Typically, insurers allow parties to reinstate a lapsed policy within three to five years after the lapse.

How do I reopen my insurance?

How To Get Your Claim Reopened As Quickly As Possible. To reopen an insurance claim, you should first contact your insurance company directly. The best way to do this is to call the customer service number provided on your insurance policy or the company's website.

Can insurance automatically renew?

It's entirely legal for insurers to auto-renew your car insurance contract, as long as they've let you know that's what they'll do. It should be on emails or paperwork they send to you. Auto-renewal helps providers keep customers, year after year.

Do you have to pay to reinstate your insurance?

If your insurer agrees to reinstate your policy after a lapse, you may have to pay the owed premiums upfront, pay a fine, and accept higher rates. Make sure you don't drive until your policy is fully reinstated, as driving without insurance can result in legal and financial consequences.

What happens if I let my insurance lapse?

If an insurance company sees that you had a period of time with no insurance, they might consider you a higher risk. Driving without insurance could also result in fines, tickets and a suspended license, depending on the rules in your state.

What does "inactive policy" mean?

Inactive policy guidance that has expired or been rescinded, superseded, or withdrawn for some other reason.

Can you get your insurance back if it is canceled?

To reinstate your coverage, you'll need to purchase another insurance policy. Failing to do so could lead to fines or even license suspension if you're pulled over. You may be able to reinstate your policy with your previous insurer, or you may need to shop around for coverage with another carrier.

What to do if no car insurance will take you?

If you're denied insurance, the first step is to call another insurer—different companies have different parameters. However, if several insurers have denied you, you may need to consider these options: Join a state assigned risk pool – Auto insurers participate on a voluntary basis in state assigned risk pools.

How long can you drive after insurance expires?

If your auto insurance policy lapses, typically due to a missed payment, most car insurance companies will give you a grace period to get back on track. The period of time to make up the payment without a lapse in coverage varies, but it's often 10 to 20 days.

What is the grace period for car insurance?

Many insurance companies offer grace periods seven to 30 days after the due date. During your grace period, your coverage remains active, and you can pay your bill without penalties. Be sure to review your policy or contact your insurance company for more information on their late payment policy.

How do I reinstate my lapsed car insurance?

You can reinstate your auto policy by calling your insurance company or contacting them through their website or mobile app. If you pay the premiums you owe within your insurer's grace period, they will reinstate your policy and you may not have a lapse of coverage on your record.

How do I reinstate a lapsed policy?

Pay Past-due Premiums: To reinstate your policy, you'll likely need to pay all the premiums due from the time of lapse, plus any interest or penalties the insurer charges.

Can a lapsed policy be revived?

Ans: Yes, you can revive your lapsed life insurance policy within 3 to 5 years of the revival period. The applicable revival period may be different for different plans. Thus, you should check with your insurer about how and when you can revive your lapsed life insurance policy.

Why is my insurance inactive?

Review Your Payment History: Sometimes, a missed payment could be the reason for inactive coverage. Check if all your premiums are up to date. Explore Reinstatement Options: If your coverage was canceled due to unpaid premiums, ask your insurance provider about reinstatement options.

How to get car insurance after being dropped?

If your car insurance coverage is dropped, you may want to try the following steps:
  1. See if your provider is willing to consider reinstating your coverage. ...
  2. Contact your state's insurance commissioner for an appeal. ...
  3. Look for a new insurance provider.

When can a lapsed insurance policy be reinstated?

A lapse occurs when the benefits and rights stated in a contract no longer remain active due to the contract holder failing to honor requirements and conditions set forth by a contract or agreement. A lapse can occur, for instance, due to inaction, the passage of time, or failure to pay what is due.